Djokovic ‘very happy’ but not yet 100 per cent as Aussie Open looms
● Serb has impressive win over Thiem ● Muguruza quits Sydney as precaution
Novakdjokovic made an impressive return in an exhibition clash with Dominic Thiem but admitted his elbow is still not 100 per cent.
The former world No 1 has not played a competitive match since retiring from his Wimbledon quarter-final against Tomas Berdych.
Doubt was cast over whether Djokovic would be fit to play in the Australian Open, which starts on Monday, when he withdrew from warm-up events in Abu Dhabi and Doha.
But, after beating Thiem 6-1, 6-4 at the Kooyong Classic, Djokovic declared himself happy. He said: “I don’t want to be overconfident. Obviously I’m very happy with the way it went today.
“But I don’t want to say it’s 100 per cent, I’ll say that when I start a tournament and I actually feel that it is 100 per cent.
“I was waiting for this moment for six months to play a match. Also, I got a great opponent today ranked five in the world, it was a fantastic test for me.
“It worked pretty well, especially the serve, which was the biggest question mark because of the elbow, that shot in my game was compromised prior to July.”
The 30-year-old, who wore a compression sleeve on his right arm, admitted he would rather have had more preparation for the start of a grand slam he has won a record six times. He said: “I think it is [enough]. Obviously, it’s the first time in my career I’ve had such a long break and it would be ideal if I had another tournament under my belt before coming out to Australia, but I haven’t had a chance. I’m going to take whatever I can.”
On the men’s tour, surprise package Alex De Minaur moved a step closer to reaching the Sydney International final when his last-16 opponent Damir Dzumhur retired hurt. Home hopeful De Minaur, 18, who is being coached by Australian great Lleyton Hewitt, made the last four in Brisbane last week and, after ousting veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in Sydney, got past the injured Dzumhur 6-2, 3-0.
Daniil Medvedev had a tougher time against Jared Donaldson, triumphing 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, while Fabio Fognini also needed three sets to edge out Alexandr Dolgopolov 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Benoit Paire beat Leonardo Mayer, Adrian Mannarino saw off Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania and Paolo Lorenzi dumped out top seed Albert Ramos.
In the ASB Classic in Auckland, Peter Gojowczyk stunned defending champion and American No 1 Jack Sock 6-3, 6-3 to book a quarter-final place.
Juan Martin del Porto defeated Denis Shapovalov, Karen Khachanov called time on Pablo Cuevas’ campaign and David Ferrer moved comfortably past Joao Sousa.
Robin Haase and Jiri Vesely were also victorious, while Hyeon Chung surprised John Isner and Gilles Muller downed John Millman.
In the WTA, top seed Garbine Muguruza withdrew from the Sydney International due to a thigh injury after she had booked her place in the quarter-finals.
The Spanish world No 3 had received treatment on the problem in the opening set of her clash with Kiki Bertens but rallied to win 6-3, 7-6 (8/6). But, with the Australian Open just around the corner, Muguruza withdrew as a precaution.
That means home favourite Daria Gavrilova is straight through to the semi-finals.
Italy’s world No 100 Camila Giorgi shocked Petra Kvitova by defeating the Czech former Wimbledon champion 7-6 (9/7) 6-2.
At the Hobart International, British hopeful Heather Watson set up a quarter-final clash with Croatia’s Donna Vekic by beating wild card Jamiee Fourlis 6-2, 6-2.